Dominica, Mongolia ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement
DG AZEVÊDO: “WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE GAINS OF TRADE ARE BETTER SHARED ACROSS SOCIETY”
In a speech to the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s
Global Strategy Group on 28 November, Director-General
Roberto Azevêdo stressed the importance of making the case
for trade amid a rise in anti-globalisation sentiment in
many countries. Governments also need to work on creating a
better, more inclusive model of globalisation and ensure the
benefits of trade reach further and wider through new trade
reforms.
> Speech: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/spra_e/spra148_e.htm
DOMINICA, MONGOLIA RATIFY THE TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT; FINAL COUNTDOWN LAUNCHED
Dominica and Mongolia have ratified the
Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), putting the total number
of ratifications from members at 100. With just 10 more
ratifications from members needed to bring the TFA into
force, the final countdown begins for realizing a global
deal that could boost global merchandise exports by up to $1
trillion per annum by slashing trade costs and cutting red
tape at the border.
> News item: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news16_e/fac_29nov16_e.htm
DOMINICA ACCEPTS TRIPS AMENDMENT TO EASE POOR COUNTRIES’ ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE MEDICINES
Dominica deposited its instrument of
acceptance for the 2005 protocol amending the WTO’s
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property
Rights (TRIPS) on 28 November 2016.
> News item: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news16_e/trip_28nov16_e.htm
WTO MEMBERS REFLECT ON WORK OF COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE CHALLENGES
At an event held on 24
November to mark the 100th session of the Committee on Trade
and Development (CTD), WTO members and other participants
reflected on how trade has evolved since the committee held
its first meeting 20 years ago. They also discussed what
needs to be done to ensure that trade continues to support
developing countries in the future.
> News item: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news16_e/devel_29nov16_e.htm
CHAIR CITES SOME INTEREST FOR NEGOTIATIONS ON NON-TARIFF BARRIERS TO NON-AGRICULTURAL GOODS
Some interest has been expressed
for negotiating the easing of non-tariff barriers for
non-agricultural goods, the Chair of the WTO Negotiating
Group on Market Access, Ambassador Didier Chambovey
(Switzerland), told WTO members in an informal meeting on 25
November. He reported to members on his consultations over
the past month, which involved 36 delegations and group
coordinators.
> News item: https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news16_e/nama_25nov16_e.htm